The Life of the Bee

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Maeterlinck, Maurice, 1862-1949

Contributor:

Sutro, Alfred, 1863-1933

Standardized Title:

La vie des abeilles. English

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"The Life of the Bee" by Maurice Maeterlinck is a scientific exploration of bee life written in the early 20th century. The book delves into the intricate social structures, behaviors, and natural wonders of bees, aiming to shed light on their existence without burdening the reader with overly technical terminology or apiarist practicalities. Maeterlinck expresses a deep admiration for these insects, focusing on their complex reproductive and social habits, illustrated through the lens of their year-long life cycle. The opening of the book provides insights into the author's intentions. He establishes that he will not offer a practical manual for beekeeping but rather share his reflections and observations accumulated through personal experience with the fascinating lives of bees. Beginning with an evocative description of the hive, Maeterlinck invites the reader to explore various aspects such as the function of the queen, the various roles of worker bees, and the communal nature of the hive. He also suggests the rich history of bee study, highlighting the contributions of early naturalists and the evolution of understanding around bee behavior. By situating bees within a broader philosophical context about life and sacrifice, he sets the tone for a work that is as much about the bees themselves as it is about human perception of nature and existence. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Credits:

Produced by Steve Solomon and David Widger

Notes:

Translation of: La vie des abeilles

Reading ease score: 55.3 (10th to 12th grade). Somewhat difficult to read.

Release date is 2003-10-01